Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-07-28
PRACTICAL SIMPLICITY.
As Exemplif1ed in the Case Of
Papa Harrison.

Papa Harrison.
"Just the way with women folks"
growled Mr.. Harrison, 1.-THE old story
of Flora McFlimsey over again, moth
ing to wear"
'.But, papa. you want us to dress
respectfully, don't your" asked pretty
Polly, with suspicion of a tear in her
eye.
...Why, yes; respectfully" replied
Mr.: Harrison, still grumpily, my
mother dressed respectfully without
these everlasting flummeries you girls
are always teasing me for; good, plain,
sensible clothes and cOmmon-sense
shoes, no opera toes and French heels
on her feet" and he glanced suggest
lively at the dainty slipper, which mop
portunely showed itself beneath the
ruffle of Polly's pretty morning wrap
per.
"Grandmamma wore a long green
vail, and a nice big bonnet, too, didn't
she?" said mischievous Nellie, land
her hair in a little knob at the nape of
her neck"
"You needn't make fun, miss" re-
piled her father, sternly, '.yOur grand
mother was always sensibly and neatly
dressed, and it would be refreshing to
see some of her good taste in my fam
ily."
"But. really, Mr.. Harrison, the girls
have nothing suitable to wear to Mrs.
Lincoln's grand party" said Mrs.
Harrison, meek. gcntle-voiced little
woman.
'.No, and they haven't had any thing
for the last five years." replied Mr..
Harrison, with whitening sarcasm;
''buy! buy! and yet they are in the
same distressing situation of the female
before mentioned" and he leaned back
in his chair with the air of having
clinched the conversation with an un-
answerable argument.
Il wish was man." said pretty
Nell, with pout, ''then l could wear
one suit everywhere by varying my
neckties."
'Papa. dear. YOU are going with us
to the picnic. amt you?" said Kitty,
anxiously; she was dainty little fairy
and her fathers favorite, and, as she
spoke, she glanced ut her sisters with
eyes SO full of fun and mischief. that
they knew she had some plan in her
fertile little brain.
Picnic" said Mr.. Harrison, in a
softened tone; he could not be cross
with Kitty and she well knew it. Bugs
and earwigs! When 1 want my dinner
seasoned with spiders and grand-dad-
dies. 1 can eat it in the garden"
''Oh, but, papa, we want to go
awfullyr' said Kitty, coming and perch
ing herself on his knee; she took dar-
ing advantage of her privilege as the
youngest. land it is SO awkward to go
to such place without gentleman"
''Oh, well! l can charter Tom for
the OCCASION" said Mr.. Harrison, quite
gOod-humoredly, ''he is used to hand
ling packages. and you'll find he will
manage your five baskets and fifteen
bundles in fine style" Tom was
porter in Mr.. Harrison's large store,
and doubtless merited the .ecommen-
dation.
'.But that isn't you. papa" replied
persistent Kitty, winding her arms
around her stiff-necked parent, and
kissing the lips which could say such
unkind things
''Oh, you wheedler!' responded Mr..
Harrison, with 4 feeble attempt at dig
nifty, "but there; have just been in
formed that you have nothing to wear"
'Oh! just for a picnic. papa. one can
wear any thing, You KNOW" and her
eyes danced perfect jig of delighted
mischief. plain white is perfectly suit
able for bug and beetle affair of that
Kind"
I'm my day plain white was consid-
cred just the thing for party occasions
also," said MIR. Harrison, quite molli-
fed by his pets attentions.
mo hoops, or bustles, suppose, "
said Kitty, thoughtfully.
''Not = hoop" replied Mr.. Harrison,
and as for bustles. pah!'
'Now, papa, TIL make bargain
with you," said Kitty; IF you'll 60 to
the picnic with US, we'll agree to wear
our picnic dresses to the party. Isn't
that fair?'
swell, fair enough if there's no hid
den reservations" replied Mr.. Harri-